Head of Programme - Nigeria

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 195

• It has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and engage 8,000 volunteers across more than 40 countries. DRC operates with a mission to assist refugees and internally displaced persons globally by providing emergency aid, advocating for their rights, and facilitating opportunities for a brighter future. The organization is politically independent, non-governmental, and non-denominational, focusing on responsible and sustainable solutions for displaced individuals. DRC's vision is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced persons, guided by core values of humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency.

Job Overview:
The Head of Programme (HoP) in Nigeria will report directly to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and will be a key member of the Senior Management Team. This role is crucial for overseeing the implementation of DRC's strategic objectives in Nigeria, ensuring high programmatic standards, quality assurance, and lessons learned. The HoP will be responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across Nigeria's operations, providing technical input to implementing actors in various sectors. The position also involves developing policies, processes, and standards, leading fundraising activities, and representing DRC in external engagements. The HoP will play a significant role in addressing the complex humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, particularly in regions affected by conflict and climate change, and will work towards enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of DRC's programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Head of Programme include:

• People Management: Representing the program within the Senior Management Team, coordinating the sectoral and overall programmatic strategy, providing technical quality support, managing performance and development of program staff, and facilitating effective coordination between programs and other departments.
• Fundraising and Strategy: Contributing to contextual program analysis for fundraising strategies, advising on partnerships and programmatic opportunities, ensuring effective planning and management of program resources, and implementing the fundraising strategy.
• External Representation: Coordinating DRC's representation in humanitarian forums, supporting donor relations, and overseeing communication tools to enhance DRC's visibility.
• Programme Quality, Reporting, and Compliance: Ensuring quality across projects, developing protection strategies, driving program performance improvements, managing data collection, and ensuring compliance with DRC and donor policies.
• Cross-Cutting Duties: Maintaining effective relationships within the program, promoting a culture of excellence, and adhering to DRC values and humanitarian principles.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned by the Country Director.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least 7 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, with a focus on both humanitarian and durable solutions programming. A minimum of 4 years of experience in people management is required, along with experience in managing program operations at a senior management level. Candidates should have a strong background in fundraising, proposal development, budget management, and program implementation. Experience in coordinating with national partners, local authorities, and other stakeholders is essential, as is previous experience in developing program strategies related to protection, economic recovery, emergency response, or peacebuilding. Familiarity with the West and Central Africa region is an asset. Strong organizational, interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills are also required.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in political science, international development, economics, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively manage and implement programs in complex humanitarian settings.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience in the humanitarian sector, specifically at least 7 years, with a strong emphasis on both humanitarian and durable solutions programming. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing program operations, particularly at the country senior management level, and should be adept in fundraising and understanding donor requirements. Experience in proposal development, budget management, program implementation, and monitoring and evaluation is also essential.

Languages:
Full professional proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The employment period for this position is set to start in January 2026 and is for a duration of one year, with the possibility of renewal. The contract type can be either Expat or National, depending on the candidate's background. The position is classified under Employment Band E, which corresponds to a Head of Department level. DRC emphasizes equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. However, it is important to note that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to citizens of the country of assignment, which in this case is Nigeria. Applications must include a cover letter and an updated CV, both in English, and should be submitted through the DRC website by the specified deadline.